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Several major strikes are taking place in France this summer which could cause widespread disruption for both holidaymakers and residents.

Travellers may be impacted by strikes on the rails or at motorway tollbooths, and for residents, pharmacist and taxi strikes could last throughout summer.

Action by air traffic controllers caused widespread delays on July 3 and 4, however they are yet to file any additional strike motions for the month. They may choose to do so at a later date. 

Below, we review the action announced for the month ahead. This page is updated as new strikes are announced.

Rail workers: Up to September 1 

The SUD-Rail union has filed a strike motion covering the entire summer (mid-June to September 1). 

Anger over working conditions and bonuses are behind the strike, but so far SUD-Rail has not been joined by other unions.

The prolonged period does not mean all workers will stop working over the summer, but allows for employees to strike at short notice if they wish. 

The union hopes sporadic and small-scale walkouts will be more effective in causing disruption than strikes in May and June, which was anticipated and addressed by state operator SNCF.

Motorway tollbooth operators: July 1 - 31 

Motorway operators in the south-east of France are striking across the month, which could lead to delays on the A8 and A51 motorways.

However, the CFDT union supporting the workers says disruption to drivers is not the intention of the action, and any delays will be minimal. 

The CGT says it will support strikes by motorway workers across the summer but so far no major motions have been filed. 

Pharmacy staff: from July 1 

Pharmacists are engaging in major strike action across the summer as anger against the government’s perceived ‘anti-pharmacist’ policies spill over. 

A wave of action in June by emergency/night pharmacists has been joined by workers at regular pharmacies, meaning it may be harder to find an open pharmacy over the summer, particularly at night or on Sundays.

Pharmacists are planning to engage in ‘guerrilla’ tactics, including demonstrations, blockades of medicine depots – which may lead to shortages of certain medicines – and go-slow operations to block road traffic. 

The ongoing strike action does not yet have a clear end-date. 

Taxi drivers: ongoing (since May 19)

Taxi driver unions have pledged to continue strike action in France across the summer. 

Drivers are protesting new plans to alter the structure and level of hospital transport fees paid to taxi drivers that take patients to appointments, as well as the increase of ride-hailing apps such as Bolt and Uber in France. 

Protests are likely to include go-slow operations to block traffic – either on busy roads or outside key transport hubs – as well as ‘blockades’ outside airports, town halls, and train stations.

Unions have said further motions would be filed throughout the summer.

Radio France and France TV staff: ongoing (since June 30)

Employees at the public service broadcasters are striking over plans by Culture Minister Rachida Dati to assimilate them (and the Institut national de l'audiovisuel - INA) under one umbrella. 

Staff say this will reduce quality and creative freedom, however proponents of the move say it is a necessary cost-cutting measure. 

Throughout the action, radio and TV channels may not broadcast regular programs. 

Unions backing the strike say it will not be called off until the measure is suspended. 

LIDL staff: ongoing (since May 15)

Staff at the supermarket chain are striking on Thursdays - Sundays over changes to job roles, which include mandatory Sunday shifts and working on public holidays.

During the strike period shops may be busier at the weekend due to a lack of available staff.